Elena looked at Julian.
He shook his head slightly.
It was a small movement, but Chloe saw it.
So did I.
Elena swallowed.
“I sent letters.”
“When?”
“Years ago.”
“To which address?”
She hesitated.
“I don’t remember.”
“Did you call?”
“I tried.”
“Did you ask Dad to arrange a visit?”
Elena looked away.
“I thought he would refuse.”
“You never asked.”
“I knew what he was like!”
Chloe’s voice remained calm.
“You don’t know what Dad was like. You weren’t here.”
Elena’s eyes filled with tears.
“I was young. I made mistakes.”
“You were thirty-six, Mom.”
The words landed harder than a shout.
“You left six children. I was thirteen. Stella was eight. The triplets were five. Maya was a baby.”
Chloe paused.
“Do you know what Maya’s first word was?”
Elena stared at her.
“No.”
“Dad. Because he was the person who was always there.”
Maya stood near her sisters, her eyes fixed on the woman who had given birth to her.
